HUNTSVILLE, AL -- The controversy over the Alabama A&M University Research Institute reached a new level Friday when a school trustee fired insults at another trustee.

The comments from trustee Jerome Williams of Birmingham came at the end of a 35-minute discussion at Friday's board meeting that centered on the research institute. The institute, formed in 1999 to handle millions in private and government research contracts on behalf of NASA, the Defense Department and numerous companies, has been the subject of an FBI investigation and an inquiry by A&M's accrediting agency.

The discussion Friday revolved, in part, around trustees questioning the value of the research institute and how worthwhile the partnership is to A&M.

"You lack credibility in this circle," Williams said to fellow trustee Rev. Tom Bell as the board sat around a horseshoe table at the Clyde Foster Multipurpose Room on the A&M campus. Bell is also a member of the research institute board of directors.

"You have demonstrated by your conspiring nature with (fellow trustee James) Montgomery you are not trustworthy," Williams continued. "You have demonstrated that again and again from what you have done, including going to Montgomery to tell lies (to state senators, which must confirm trustees) against the confirmation of trustee members."

At that point, a murmur rippled throughout the stunned audience in the room.

Bell then told board president Lanier, "O.D., you need to calm this thing."

Lanier, who had talked repeatedly over the past two days of meetings about the constructive work of the trustees and spoke of his "unbridled optimism" for the board, immediately called for a break.

"Let's settle down a minute here," Lanier said. "Let's settle down."

Unless issues are resolved between A&M and the research institute within the next month, the process of terminating the relationship is an option for the A&M trustees.

Following the break, the trustees voted 7-2 in support of Williams' motion to reduce the negotiating window with the research institute to 30 days. Bell and Montgomery cast the dissenting votes. The introduction of that motion ignited the lengthy discussion on the research institute.

The exchange between Williams - who was confirmed as a trustee by the state Senate in December - and Bell underscored the divisions on the board that trustees have openly acknowledged.

At the board meeting in Montgomery with Gov. Robert Bentley earlier this month, Williams criticized Bell, Montgomery and trustee Raymond Burse for leaving the meeting after a lunch break. Bell, Montgomery and Burse were three of the four trustees who requested the meeting with Bentley.

And Friday, trustee Norman Hill accused the three of calling the meeting with Bentley to discuss the research Institute and then leaving before the topic was reached on the agenda. But Bell, Montgomery and Burse were present during discussion of the research institute.

"I don't know if you fell asleep or were daydreaming or what," Montgomery said in response to Hill. "But that's what we spent most of the meeting on."

Lanier had talked this week of being able to "pivot away" from the past differences and move forward with the business of the university.

The tension arose after Williams introduced a motion to reduce a 90-day negotiating window with the research institute to 30 days because of a lack of response for a meeting, according to Williams.

Williams spoke in place of trustee Andre Taylor, who is chair of an ad hoc board committee investigating ongoing issues with the research institute. Taylor was absent because of a death in the family.

Bell, who is also on the ad hoc committee, said he knew of no request for information directed to the research institute.

Bell said he was ready to take part in a meeting that was scheduled for last Tuesday. But according to A&M President Dr. Andrew Hugine, research institute Executive Director Dr. Deidra Willis-Gopher canceled the meeting because three members of the research institute board could not attend.

Questions surrounding A&M's relationship to the research institute and the function of the research institute were among questions submitted to the school by SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) in an inquiry last month.

SACS also asked for an update on the FBI and federal grand jury investigations into the research institute. A&M said it met the Feb. 14 deadline to respond but has refused to publicly release the response.